For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
(2 Cor 8:9)
Why give to my local Church?
There are a number of good reasons why Christians give money to their local Church.
1. Stewardship
Everything I own belongs to God and I am accountable to him for the way I use it. This is emphasised in Jesus’ stewardship parables (Mt 25:14-21; Lk 19:11-27), where the good steward of his master's wealth is commended while the bad (stingy) steward suffers judgment. We are to store up riches for ourselves in the Kingdom of Heaven instead of here on earth (Lk 6:24; 12:16-21; 16:19-31; 18:18-30). When Jesus speaks of this kind of stewardship, he has in mind our whole lives, not just our money. In this sense, it is true that our use of money can be an indicator of our wider spiritual condition.
2. As an expression of gratitude to God
Though he was infinitely 'rich', Jesus made himself poor so that we might become rich (2 Cor 8:9). Financial giving is often an expression of thanksgiving to God for salvation and material abundance in this life.
3. Our obligations to our church staff
Christians have an obligation to share all good things with those whose work it is to teach and preach. This has always been the practice of the Christian church, which found a precedent in the Old Testament temple system of priests and tithes (1 Tim 5:17-18; 1 Cor 9:3-14; Gal 6:6).
4. Compassion for the poor
Christians are to give generously to the poor as a demonstration of the grace God has bestowed upon us (2 Cor 8-9; Proverbs 19:17; 22:9). This was the practice of Christians from the very beginning-- first to those within the Christian community, and then to all people generally (Acts 4:32-37; Gal 6:10).
5. Strategic Gospel Partnerships
The wise steward will want to get the greatest gospel return on his or her investment. We share in the gospel work of others when we partner with them financially. Not all of us are evangelists, preachers, missionaries or youth workers: but we set them free to do the job to which God has called and equipped them when we commit to supporting them financially
(Philippians 1:3-7; 4:10-20).
6. Fleeing from Greed
Christians also give in order to free themselves from the tyranny of greed—wealth can be a trap!
(Ephesians 5:3-10, 1Timothy 6:3-10; James 1:10-11; 5:1-6).
Other obligations
Christian giving also occurs in the context of other financial obligations which we have to governments (Rom 13:1-17), to our families (1 Tim 5:3-16), to be prudent (Proverbs 6:6-11; 27:23-27) and to support ourselves (1 Thess 4:11-12). Without ignoring these obligations, Christians are to be generous and free in their giving—for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7).
How much should I give?
The amount that you decide to give is a matter to be determined between you and God. In Old Testament times, giving towards the support of the temple system began at the level of 10% of gross income and then 'freewill', 'fellowship' and other offerings were added to that amount. Although some Christians find this a useful guide, this principle of 'tithing' does not have any force in the New Testament. Christians are free to decide before God what they give—there is no obligation.
Instead of such 'tithing' laws, Christians are called to give generously, systematically and in proportion to what one has (see 2 Cor 8:1-12). So having prayerfully determined what you will give, stick to it and rejoice that you are able to share in this work.